Brothers Folsom, Barnes Get AME Church Asssignments at Conference

Omega men know how to Persevere, and at the end of that Perseverance comes the reward. For Brothers Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom and Rev. Rodney Barnes, Perseverance in The Word and in the shaping and molding of a new calling in ministry is paying off.

Bro. Folsom, the long-serving Second District Chaplain for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, received his first pastoral appointment on April 22. He was appointed pastor of Wayman Memorial AME Church in Baltimore.

“It’s a great community church in the heart of what’s called Pigtown.  We are called the Miracle on Washington Boulevard!  We serve a great working class community close to Ravens Stadium.,” said Bro. Folsom.

Brother Reverends Barnes and Folsom

Bro. Folsom was formally named to the pastorate at the 66th Session of the Washington Annual AME Conference which was held at Reid Temple AME in Glen Dale, MD.  The three-day conference was from April 20-22.  Pastoral appointments were read by Bishop William P. DeVeaux (Alpha Chapter, '60) on Friday night, April 22 at the close of the conference business session.

In the AME church, pastors serve for one conference year and then at the next Annual Conference can be re-appointed to the same church or assigned to another church.  It is up to the discretion of the Bishop and the Presiding Elder. 

“I am so thankful for the appointment and just want to do God's will, love the people, and help transformation take place in the community,” said Bro. Folsom.  “I want to see the church once again be the center of the community.  After serving almost 10 years on the ministerial staff of Community of Hope AME in Hillcrest Heights, MD, under Rev Tony Lee as my Pastor, this takes my ministry, which is really God's ministry, to another level. I do believe this is the church God wants me to shepherd.”

Bro. Folsom has already started serving. In the AME church, the assignments are immediate. He presided over his first worship service on Sunday, April 24, at 11 am.  His sermon was "It's Going to Be Alright" from Matthew 9:18-26.

The church is located at 1305 Washington Boulevard in South Baltimore. You can visit Wayman AME on Facebook: Wayman AME 

Gamma Pi Brother Rev. Rodney Barnes, a recently retired police officer, was also spurred on to continue his calling during the recent Conference. Bro. Barnes received his third re-appointment to Gethesemane AME Church, a church he planted that is now called THEGAMECHURCH after a recent rebranding.

“I'm humbled at this my third Appointment as the Pastor of Gethsemane AME Church.  We are on the move, God has positioned us for success,” said Bro. Barnes. “Our theme scripture is 1 Corinthians 3:6; "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."  

Bro. Barnes says his church underwent a reorganization and rebranding last year and in 2016 THEGAMECHURCH is positioned for growth. The GAMECHURCH, is located at 2701 Enterprise Road Mitchellville, MD 20721. Services begin at 9:00 a.m.

Congratulations to these Brothers as they continue their important work in the vineyards!

Gamma Pi Annual Talent Hunt Once Again Showcases the Best Youth Talent in the County

Contestants join in curtain call

They really do have talent in Prince George’s County, and every year, the high school youth who participate in Gamma Pi chapter’s Omega Talent Hunt showcase the exciting talent of local youth. That was on display again this year as parents, and friends joined members of the chapter for an entertaining Talent Hunt program on March 12.

A total of 27 students participated in this year’s event, covering four areas of performance: instrumental classical, vocal contemporary, dance contemporary and art. Aston Woolery, of Suitland High School, was named the overall winner of the Talent Hunt. He performed Prelude in C# Minor by Rachmaninoff. He has participated in Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt before.

Winner Aston Woolery (center) with chapter leaders

The atmosphere was very much reminiscent of the old variety shows that were popular on television in the 1960s and 1970s, when numerous performers would appear on one show. The sky-high voices, the sounds of finely tuned instruments, the captivating dance moves and the riveting artwork, all made for an exciting scene that made you think you were in the audience at the old Apollo Theater in New York.

As always, Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt team of judges was comprised of music and arts professionals and educators, including professors from nearby Bowie State University and the University of the District of Columbia, and the manager for the popular Rhythm and Blues supergroup, Earth, Wind & Fire. Bro. Dr. Leroy Barton, a music educator, chairs Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt. “It never ceases to amaze me the level and kind of talent we have among our high school students in Prince George’s County.”

Gamma Pi Vice Basileus Tony Lee, standing in for Basileus Brian K.Long, served as Master of Ceremonies. True to form, Bro. Lee kept the audience entertained in between the performances with his well-known stand up routine that included a little falsetto singing. Other category winners of the Talent Hunt are listed below. (Photos by Bro. Raphael Terrell)

Brothers tallying up the judges' scores

2016 CATEGORY WINNERS

Vocal Contemporary

Olowabukola Odediram

Visual Art-Photography

Terris Johnson

Dance

Tianna Robinson

Instrumental Contemporary

Langston Hughes II

Classical Piano

Aston Woolery

Instrumental Classical

Graceson Moore

Visual Art – Drawing

Jakema Washington

Scholarship-Winning Daughters of Gamma Pi Brothers Giving Good First-Year Report from Tennessee State

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just in case you don't notice, the writer of this article for the Tennessee State University student newspaper, Shayla Simmons, is the daughter of Bro. Tommie Boone and wife Gayle. The subject of the interview, Kirsten Beverly, is the daughter of Bro. Rodney Beverly and wife Josette. Also, Victoria Gourdin, who is also part of this trio of scholars, is the daughter of Bro. Vaughn Gourdin and his wife Kelly.

By Shayla Simmons

reprinted from The Meter

Tennessee State University

http://tsuthemeter.com/2016/02/12/freshmen-fresh-faces/

Kirsten Beverly

While racking the brain trying to find the first candidate for excellence, eventually I came to realize that the best place might be to start from the bottom up. By the bottom up I mean a fresh face, untapped potential, a diamond hidden in the rough if you will. Yes, this best describes TSU’s freshman class who just recently entered their second semester. In such a short amount of time, a plethora of students have begun to lay the foundations of excellence in leadership, academia and athletics.

The search led me to Kirsten Beverly. Though officially classified as a sophomore, Beverly first stepped onto campus this past August, along with many others. Hailing from Clinton, Maryland, the young woman came prepared to take the world by storm.

“Of course I was nervous moving so far from home, but regardless, I had to remember why I was here,” said Beverly.

As a student at one of the few schools that offered a dental hygiene program, she was more than excited to take on anything that her professors threw at her.

“By working towards becoming a member of the dental hygiene program, I can gain much needed hands-on experience which will be helpful when I enter into dental school,” Kirsten commented, “It will be more than beneficial since I hope to become a pediatric dentist for low-income families and children with special needs.”

Bro. Dr. Foy, wife Dr. SanYvette Foy (r) and Gamma Pi scholars 

When asked about her accomplishments both in and out of the classroom, she first mentioned her role as the freshman class treasurer, a position of SGA and a coveted spot on the Dean’s list in her first semester. But after a little more digging, it was also discovered that she was a new recipient of the Girl Scout’s GOLD award, the highest achievement presented by the organization that prides itself on its community service.

The short interview concluded with one final question: What advice would you have for your peers and those that will make up the class of 2020?

Her response was surprising yet oddly refreshing.

“College is one of the few times that you can be completely selfish. Take advantage of it and take risks. Chase every dream you have because this is the time to do it. Never be afraid of the world. Know and remember that rejection is not a dead end. That’s what I wish I knew coming in.”

Read More About the Exciting Educational Journey that Gamma Pi offspring Shayla Simmons, Kirsten Beverly and Victoria Gourdin Are Experiencing at Tennessee State University on full scholarships.

Watch this VIDEO from Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover.

Gamma Pi Brother Pens Book on "How to Make a Million" Through Network Marketing

If you knew how to make a million dollars working parttime and have enough to retire early, would you tell anybody? Yes, if you had the winning formula. Brother Damon Moats has the winning formula and did just that recently in writing his new book, How To Make a Million Dollars. The 1350-page tome is now firmly in circulation and Brother Moats is happy with the early returns and looking for more as the book gets more notice and readers share their sales are going. Bro. Moats, (Psi Psi '85, Kentucky State University), is an expert in real estate and in network marketing.

"This book can be a road map to your success and financial freedom, should you choose network marketing or entrepreneurship in general as one of your paths to wealth and riches," Brother Moats says in the back page liner notes of his book.

Brother Moats recently provided a Q&A interview with Gamma Pi LIVE to share his latest project with brothers far and wide. Below is the transcript of that interview. 

Q Brother Moats, is this your first book?
A -Yes it is. This is my first book.

Q- When was your book published and who is your publisher?
A - Yes it was published in 2015. The publisher is Create Space/Amazon, The book is available at this link on Amazon, and I encourage all Brothers and their extended family and friends to read it:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/180-8810604-3524347?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=damon+moats

Q Why did you write the book?
A- I wrote the book because network marketing/direct sales is an industry that I have participated in over the past 25 years with great success. I also believe that understanding and operating within the industry can deliver so much wealth to a person or a family.

Q -What would you like to see come out of the book?
A - I would like for the book to become a resource to those not very familiar with the industry to gain a measure of understanding and appreciation for the business. I would like for the book to become a resource for those who have engaged in the industry but have not had much success financially in the industry but after reading the book and being willing to do the work in the book, find that they then enjoy great financial success in the industry. And finally, those that have had a tremendous amount of financial success to find the book valuable enough to recommend to distributors on their teams as a resource to help them build their businesses.

Q- What kind of reaction have you gotten from the book?
A- I am excited that the response from the book has been overwhelmingly positive and many have said that they are using it currently as a resource to build the businesses they building now.

Q -What sparked your interest in network marketing? That seems to be a real expertise and a point of the book that sets it apart from other books about "making a million dollars."

A - I discovered network marketing when I began to search for a franchise opportunity and an entrepreneurial opportunity only to realize that I just simply did not have the capital to purchase the average franchise and it didn’t appear that I was going to be able to accumulate the funds anytime soon. 

Q - Speaking of setting yourself apart from other "make a million" authors, what is different about your book?

A - The difference about my book is that I don’t just tell the good side of the story, I tell the good, the bad and the ugly about the industry and the reader gets to make up their mind if the good outweighs all other aspects of the business to determine if it is an industry they should pursue. I’m told, this book, if followed, will yield a financially successful network marketer. But just like all else, many people decide that this industry, just as getting a graduate degree, may be more than they are willing to fight for. However, the individuals that do make the book their guide will far out earn others who don’t. 

Q. What message do you want Omega men to take away from your book?
A. There are several things I would like Omega Men to take away from my book. 1st, I would like to suggest that each Brother start writing a book of there own in their 20’s. If they are passed that age, please start now. All of us have a story to tell or a vision to share which is valuable to others, whether we believe that or not. Secondly, I would like to encourage each Brother to try entrepreneurism in some form or fashion, as soon as possible. Finally, I would encourage each Brother to collaborate with another Brother, collaboration makes it easier for each individual to succeed at whatever it is they are endeavoring to do or accomplish.
>